The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 7 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

You know, the longer this season continues along, the more it becomes truly obvious, that a changing of the guard is underway. Because elite teams that ruled the football landscape a year ago, are suddenly looking at missing the playoffs, and are being embarrassed by teams that they once beat handily. Which is shocking to say the least, since struggling franchises usually take a few years to properly jell and contend. But their fine performances this weekend, speak volumes to how drastic changes can in fact, change a team’s fortunes and that means, it is high time to dive into one wild weekend of football. In order to properly reflect upon this dynamic shift in the league and what it means for some of the teams that are suffering or benefitting from it. 
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are scary good this year.
Truly, one of the biggest tests for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, was Sunday’s game. For the Titans are no slouch of a team, and they’ve proven to the league that they are a franchise to contend with, thanks to their playoff run last year. But the Steelers are simply on fire this year and they passed their test with flying colors, by handing Tennessee its first loss of 2020. But how they pulled off this particular feat is what makes this team of note. Because they were simply unstoppable on offense, and while their D faltered at times, they made the big plays when needed. Which makes this team quite the contender in the AFC, one that might give the top-tier squads in the conference a run for their money. And it should be interesting to see how far the Steelers are going to go this year, because they are scary good and ready to challenge all comers.
 
The New England Patriots are in desperate need of a quality quarterback.
Early on this season, it seemed as though the Pats were going to be just fine without Tom Brady. After all, Cam Newton is an NFC Champion and former MVP, and his healthy legs would allow for OC Josh McDaniels to modernize the Patriots offense and for a brief time, this all worked. But a funny thing happened after Week 2. In that, teams started to attack and neutralize New England’s run heavy, RPO hybrid offense and dared Cam to be a pocket passer and well, that’s been quite the disaster to say the least. Because clearly, Newton isn’t the QB he used to be since he’s throwing INT’s left and right anymore, and the guys behind him aren’t that great either as evidenced by the Chiefs game and well… this team needs a QB and quick. Because they are sinking behind the guys they currently have and if New England cannot acquire a decent one before the trade deadline, or figure out how to get these guys to settle down and ball, it’s going to be a lost season for this team.
 
Stick a fork in the Dallas Cowboys, they’re done.
Well that’s it, ladies and gents, the Cowboys definitely tried to make a go of 2020 and failed miserably in the process. So, stick a fork in them, because their season is done. For when you lose two solid quarterbacks to injury and drop an important divisional game to the lowly Washington Football Team, that’s it. Season’s over. And for those thinking that maybe they’ll be fine when Dalton recovers from his concussion, they won’t. Because their defense is abysmal and couldn’t stop a paper bag from flying into the end zone. So hopefully the Cowboys use the rest of the season to evaluate some of the younger guys on this team and fire their entire coaching staff no later than season’s end. Because what they’ve fielded is an outright embarrassment and starting over is the way to go.
 
The Bengals clearly made the right call in drafting Joe Burrow.
These days going #1 overall as a quarterback in the NFL, is a genuine gambit. Because the college game and the pro game are so incredibly different anymore. But once in a while, teams are able to draft a pro ready guy at that spot and get some instant results from them and for proof, then look no further than the Cincinnati Bengals. Because Joe Burrow showed the entire football world on Sunday that he is the real deal, since he did some incredible things on the field. And while the team didn’t win against Cleveland, at least now they know that they have a quality quarterback under center. And it will be quite the treat to watch this kid grow into a franchise QB in the weeks and years to come and if they get him a defense and some solid receivers to work with, then the AFC North will become a supremely competitive division. 
 
The Arizona Cardinals are the real deal this year.
For quite some time now, the Arizona Cardinals have been the laughingstock of the NFL for various and consistent reasons that are too long to list here. But what matters more, is that no one is laughing at them anymore, not after that inspired performance on Sunday Night. Because this team hung with the Seahawks every single step of the way and exploited their greatest weakness in the process and for their efforts; they’re still in the hunt and they’ve earned the respect of fans and football minds everywhere. Because this is a huge turnaround to say the least and if this team can keep the momentum going and take advantage of opponents that underestimate them, they’re going to have a great season. One that will likely end in a thrilling playoff run.

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